Vidgun
Pharaoh Necho’s campaign in northern Syria coincides with the brief reign of Jehoahaz, who was deposed on Necho’s return shortly after 1 Tishri (late Sept) 609, at which time Jehoiakim’s accession begins. First year of Jehoiakim, Tishri 608 (Sept–Oct) to Elul 607 (Aug–Sept). Third year of Jehoiakim, Tishri 606 (Sept–Oct) to last of Elul, 605 (Oct 6). This is the twenty-first year of Nabopolasar and the accession year of Nebuchadrezzar. Battle of Carchemish, late May to early June 605; Nabopolasar’s death Aug 15/16, 605. Nebuchadrezzar’s coronation Sept 7, 605. The accession year of Nebuchadrezzar = the third year of Jehoiakim. First (regnal) year of Nebuchadrezzar = the fourth year of Jehoiakim.
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Your broad history in this paragraph is OK but the dates you give for those events are in error and do not match accurate Bible Chronology.
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Jehoiakim reigned 11 years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 23:36). Dan. 1:1, 2 encompasses a period of 8 years. At the beginning of the eight years, in 605 BCE, Daniel and his companions would be deported (Dan. 1:1, 3). At the end of the eight years, in 597, Jehoiakim would be deposed, and some of the temple utensils taken (2 Chron. 36:5-7; Jer. 52:28; Dan. 1:2). Next followed Jehoiachin’s appointment, lasting only three months. Nebuchadrezzar, in his 8th year, would take 8000 into exile, including Jehoiachin. All remaining temple utensils would be taken (2 Kings 24:10-16; 2 Chron. 36:9, 10). This proves that the deportations do not have to be associated with the siege and capture of Jerusalem. Even after the fall of Jerusalem, during Nebuchadrezzar’s 18th year, the land was not left completely desolate. Jeremiah reports final deportation in Nebuchadrezzar’s 23rd year (Jer. 52:27-30). See A. R. Green (1982). “The Chronology of the Last Days of Judah: Two Apparent Discrepancies.” Journal of Biblical Literature, 101, pp. 57–73.
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Again your outline of events is OK but your interpretation of those events is wrong. There were only two deportations by Nebuchadnezzer during the reigns of Jehoiakim and Zedekiah. The first one was an exile to Babylon of the royal family, temple treasures etc in Neb's 7/8th year and the second deportation or remaining population in Neb's 18/19th year with the destruction of the city, temple and land began the Exile to Babylon of 70 years duration.
I have Green'.s article that you cite and like many scholars tries to resolve the problems of chronology in dealing with the period of the last days of Judah.
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Land was never desolate for seventy years. The slavery of the nations under the Babylonians would last seventy years (Jer. 25:11).
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No. The Bible writers Jeremiah., Daniel, Ezra, Zechariah were quite emphatic that the exile was of 70 years and that Judah would be desolate for 70 years and Josephus confirms such a viewpoint of matters.
scholar JW
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